Responses to Christ: Worship, Complacency, and Inclusivity
Summary
The narrative of Matthew chapter 2 offers a profound insight into the responses to the birth of Jesus, the King of Kings. The story of the wise men and King Herod presents a dichotomy of reactions to the revelation of Christ. The wise men, despite being Gentile outsiders, journeyed from afar, guided by a star, to worship Jesus. Their response was one of joy and reverence, as they presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, each symbolizing Jesus' kingship, deity, and sacrificial death. In contrast, King Herod, threatened by the news of a new king, plotted to kill Jesus, revealing a heart hardened by fear and insecurity.
This passage challenges us to examine our own responses to Jesus. Are we like the wise men, willing to seek and worship Him, or do we, like Herod, feel threatened by His lordship over our lives? The wise men’s journey illustrates that God reveals Himself to all people, regardless of their background or status. Their story is a testament to the inclusivity of the gospel, showing that Jesus came for all, not just the religious elite.
The religious leaders of the time, who should have been the first to recognize and welcome the Messiah, were apathetic and missed the significance of His birth. This serves as a warning against complacency and the danger of knowing about God without truly knowing Him. The wise men’s worship was not just in words but in action, as they offered their treasures to Jesus. This act of giving reflects the true nature of worship, which involves offering our lives and resources to God.
In our lives today, we are called to respond to Jesus with the same devotion and worship as the wise men. We are invited to seek Him, welcome Him into our lives, and worship Him with all that we are. The story of the wise men reminds us that no one is too far from God’s reach, and He uses various means to draw us to Himself. As we reflect on this narrative, let us consider how we can offer our hearts and lives to Jesus, not just during the Christmas season, but every day.
Key Takeaways:
- God Reveals Himself to All: The story of the wise men shows that God reveals Himself to all people, regardless of their background. He uses various means to draw us to Himself, meeting us where we are. This inclusivity of the gospel reminds us that no one is beyond God's reach. [33:17]
- The Danger of Complacency: The religious leaders, despite having knowledge of the scriptures, missed the significance of Jesus' birth. This warns us against complacency and the danger of knowing about God without truly knowing Him. We must be vigilant in our faith, seeking a genuine relationship with Christ. [35:27]
- True Worship Involves Sacrifice: The wise men’s act of giving gifts to Jesus reflects the true nature of worship, which involves offering our lives and resources to God. Worship is not just in words but in action, demonstrating our devotion and love for Christ. [57:30]
- Responding to Jesus' Lordship: Like Herod, we may feel threatened by Jesus' lordship over our lives. Accepting Christ means allowing Him to transform us, which may require changes in our habits and beliefs. We must examine our hearts and be willing to submit to His authority. [44:11]
- The Inclusivity of the Gospel: The wise men, as Gentile outsiders, were among the first to worship Jesus, highlighting the inclusivity of the gospel. Jesus came for all people, and we are invited to respond to His call, regardless of our past or status. [52:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:39] - The Visit of the Wise Men
- [27:11] - The Nativity Scene
- [29:08] - Two Responses to Jesus
- [30:32] - Experimenting with Jesus' Lordship
- [33:17] - God Reveals Himself to All
- [35:27] - The Religious Leaders' Missed Opportunity
- [36:35] - The Responsibility of Truth
- [39:27] - King Jesus Should Have Been Welcomed
- [40:38] - Herod's Threatened Heart
- [42:21] - Herod's Ruthlessness
- [44:11] - Feeling Threatened by Jesus
- [46:53] - The Religious Elite's Apathy
- [48:02] - Ignoring the Gospel
- [49:36] - King Jesus Worshipped by Unlikely People
- [50:23] - The Star's Guidance
- [52:48] - The Inclusivity of the Gospel
- [54:31] - The Object of Worship
- [56:27] - The Evidence of Worship
- [58:56] - Offering Our Hearts to Jesus
- [01:00:04] - The Greatest Gift
- [01:01:18] - Giving to Jesus Every Day
- [01:03:36] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 2:1-12
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the two different responses to Jesus' birth as described in Matthew 2? How did the wise men and King Herod each react? [29:08]
2. What gifts did the wise men present to Jesus, and what might these gifts symbolize according to the sermon? [57:30]
3. How did the religious leaders respond to the news of Jesus' birth, and what does this reveal about their spiritual state? [35:27]
4. What role did the star play in guiding the wise men, and how did they react when they saw it again? [50:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon suggests that God reveals Himself to all people, regardless of their background. How does the story of the wise men illustrate this truth? [33:17]
2. In what ways does the sermon warn against complacency in our faith, using the example of the religious leaders? [46:53]
3. How does the sermon describe true worship, and what actions did the wise men take that exemplify this? [56:27]
4. The sermon contrasts the responses of Herod and the wise men to Jesus' lordship. What might cause someone to feel threatened by Jesus' authority in their life? [44:11]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own response to Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you feel threatened by His lordship, similar to Herod? How can you address these feelings? [44:11]
2. The wise men traveled a great distance to worship Jesus. What are some practical ways you can seek and worship Jesus in your daily life, beyond just attending church services? [49:36]
3. Consider the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. What "gifts" or sacrifices can you offer to God as part of your worship? How can you make this a regular practice? [57:30]
4. The sermon warns against complacency in knowing about God without truly knowing Him. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ and avoid spiritual complacency? [35:27]
5. The inclusivity of the gospel is a key theme in the sermon. How can you actively share the message of Jesus with people from different backgrounds in your community? [52:48]
6. Reflect on the role of the religious leaders in the story. Are there areas in your life where you might be missing God's work due to pride or apathy? How can you remain open to His leading? [46:53]
7. The sermon encourages offering our hearts to Jesus every day. What specific actions can you take this week to ensure that you are consistently giving your heart and life to Him? [01:01:18]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Universal Revelation
The story of the wise men in Matthew chapter 2 illustrates that God reveals Himself to all people, regardless of their background or status. The wise men, who were Gentile outsiders, were guided by a star to find and worship Jesus. This narrative emphasizes the inclusivity of the gospel, showing that Jesus came for everyone, not just the religious elite. It serves as a reminder that no one is beyond God's reach, and He uses various means to draw us to Himself. This truth challenges us to recognize the ways God is revealing Himself in our own lives and to respond with openness and faith. [33:17]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How has God revealed Himself to you in unexpected ways? Are there areas in your life where you need to be more open to His guidance?
Day 2: Avoiding Spiritual Complacency
The religious leaders of the time, despite their knowledge of the scriptures, missed the significance of Jesus' birth. This serves as a warning against complacency and the danger of knowing about God without truly knowing Him. It is possible to be familiar with religious teachings yet remain indifferent to their transformative power. This takeaway encourages us to be vigilant in our faith, seeking a genuine relationship with Christ rather than settling for mere knowledge. We must actively engage with our faith, allowing it to shape our lives and actions. [35:27]
"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways might you be complacent in your spiritual life? How can you actively pursue a deeper relationship with Christ today?
Day 3: Worship Through Sacrifice
The wise men’s act of giving gifts to Jesus reflects the true nature of worship, which involves offering our lives and resources to God. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolized Jesus' kingship, deity, and sacrificial death. This act of giving demonstrates that worship is not just in words but in action, showing our devotion and love for Christ. True worship requires sacrifice, as we offer our time, talents, and treasures to God. This takeaway challenges us to consider how we can worship God through our actions and the sacrifices we make in our daily lives. [57:30]
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can offer a sacrifice of worship to God today? How can your actions reflect your devotion to Him?
Day 4: Embracing Jesus' Lordship
King Herod felt threatened by the news of a new king and plotted to kill Jesus, revealing a heart hardened by fear and insecurity. This reaction contrasts with the wise men's joyful worship and challenges us to examine our own responses to Jesus' lordship. Accepting Christ means allowing Him to transform us, which may require changes in our habits and beliefs. We must be willing to submit to His authority and let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him. This takeaway invites us to reflect on the areas of our lives where we may feel threatened by Jesus' lordship and to embrace His transformative power. [44:11]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting Jesus' lordship? What steps can you take to submit to His authority and allow Him to transform you?
Day 5: The Gospel's Inclusivity
The wise men, as Gentile outsiders, were among the first to worship Jesus, highlighting the inclusivity of the gospel. Jesus came for all people, regardless of their past or status, and we are invited to respond to His call. This narrative reminds us that no one is too far from God's reach, and He desires a relationship with each of us. It challenges us to embrace the inclusivity of the gospel in our own lives, reaching out to others with the love and message of Christ. We are called to be ambassadors of this inclusive gospel, sharing it with those around us. [52:48]
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate the inclusivity of the gospel in your interactions with others? Who in your life needs to hear the message of Christ's love and acceptance today?
Quotes
"King Jesus has revealed himself to all people. We see in verse number one of Matthew chapter two that there were wise men in the east that came to Jerusalem. Now we know very little about these wise men. We don't know their names. We don't know how many there were. We like to think that there were three of them because of the three gifts and certainly songs have been written about we three kings of Orient are of course. We don't know how far they travel. We don't know which country they came from. We don't know how many there were, but we do know this." [00:31:44] (34 seconds)
"The truth of the star was given to the wise men. The truth of the scriptures was given to the Jewish rulers. And regardless of who you are in the world, Jesus has been revealed to you. The Godhead has been revealed. To you and you are responsible for your response." [00:38:47] (19 seconds)
"King Jesus has revealed himself to all people. My friend, God has revealed himself to you in one way or another. Whether it's a Christian friend, a family member, or a coworker, or a neighbor. God, if you do not know Jesus as your savior this very moment, Jesus is using this church service to speak to you." [00:39:06] (21 seconds)
"Do you feel threatened by Jesus? And you say, no, of course not. I would never feel threatened by Jesus. And let me maybe prod a little further. If you don't know Jesus this morning, or perhaps you are a Christian and you feel like some, portion of your life feels threatened by Jesus. If you accept Christ, perhaps your habits will have to change." [00:44:07] (27 seconds)
"If you accept Jesus, maybe you won't be able to do certain activities anymore. Your sense of control feels threatened by Jesus. Everything that you might have believed was true before you met Jesus feels threatened at this point. In fact, if you accept Christ as your savior, everything you know in your world is going to be shaken upside down. I'd call that a feeling of a threat." [00:44:21] (26 seconds)
"The wicked king that was threatened by Jesus is in conjunction with the religious elite that were apathetic to Jesus. One has to wonder, after the priests and the scribes heard this news from the wise men, one has to wonder, if this, if this prophecy is actually true, well, what are we doing here? Let's go with them. And notably, Matthew says specifically that the wise men went to see Jesus, but nobody else followed." [00:45:07] (32 seconds)
"There is no person too far gone that God will not love, and there is no person too far outside the norms of society that God will not pursue. There is a star shining for you, friend, and Jesus beckons you today and make him your Savior to come and accept him as your Lord and friend." [00:54:56] (24 seconds)
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